Good quality truck bed air mattress for camping, etc?

[GA Ranger Lover]

May sound funny, but does anyone know where I could get a good quality truck bed air mattress for camping trips, etc?

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[jorosz0309]

On Amazon you can find several foam mattresses that work. Look for 48” wide. You can find tri-fold mattresses in 4”, 5”, 6” etc thickness. I have a 6” that folds into a little sofa when not in use. I don’t do air mattresses but I’m sure those are an option too.

 

[SoulMafia]

https://pittmanoutdoors.com/index.php/product-category/vehicle-airbedz/

 

[GA Ranger Lover]

On Amazon you can find several foam mattresses that work. Look for 48” wide. You can find tri-fold mattresses in 4”, 5”, 6” etc thickness. I have a 6” that folds into a little sofa when not in use. I don’t do air mattresses but I’m sure those are an option too.

Thanks!

 

[GA Ranger Lover]

https://pittmanoutdoors.com/index.php/product-category/vehicle-airbedz/

Thanks!

 

[mooner3]

Posting in case it helps anyone. I just picked up this and pretty happy with it:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZXKSFWX

Took me a few tries to get the right size, it’s not perfect (a few inches narrower than it could be) but it fits well and I can just stretch out fully on it. Pretty dang comfortable for a truck bed mattress!

 

[jorosz0309]

That a great option! Does it roll up like a typical camping pad?
I was considering just buying a 48"x60" regular mattress like this one, but I'm not crazy about needing to find a place to store it when not in use.

https://www.amazon.com/Excel-Sleep-American-Made-Medium-Firm/dp/B086WS67FH?th=1

 

[John E Davies]

Where do you put all your gear when you are sleeping - on the ground, inside the cab or under a camp shelter? I never understood how this could possibly work with such a tiny truck bed, except perhaps on highway trips with only a couple of suitcases …. can you post pics of it actually being used?

My personal feeling about inflatable air mattresses is that they can never be trusted, either to actually inflate, or stay inflated overnight. A tri-fold foam futon pad won’t leave you with lost sleep and harsh words in the morning. And it isn’t any bulkier than that inflatable mattress. If there are two of you planning to sleep in there, it will require a very tolerant partner or a whole lot of alcohol.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[mooner3]

Does it roll up like a typical camping pad?

Certainly not as compact as a camping pad but it does roll up, especially if you use the pump to deflate.

Where do you put all your gear when you are sleeping - on the ground, inside the cab or under a camp shelter?
…
My personal feeling about inflatable air mattresses is that they can never be trusted, either to actually inflate, or stay inflated overnight.

Yea where to put your other gear is obviously a question but not unique to this mattress. I think it’s just a question of priorities. I’d rather leave some stuff in the cab / ground and have a comfortable sleep setup.

I agree if the thing pops a leak it would suck (also it has 1y warranty), but it feels much more robust than a typical camping air pad and note that this one also has a couple layers of foam in it. Best of both worlds imho.

 

[jorosz0309]

Where do you put all your gear when you are sleeping - on the ground, inside the cab or under a camp shelter? I never understood how this could possibly work with such a tiny truck bed, except perhaps on highway trips with only a couple of suitcases …. can you post pics of it actually being used?

My personal feeling about inflatable air mattresses is that they can never be trusted, either to actually inflate, or stay inflated overnight. A tri-fold foam futon pad won’t leave you with lost sleep and harsh words in the morning.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

there is a massive difference between an “air mattress” and a “camping pad”. Camping pads generally have some foam, supplemented by air, and have an R-value. And there is a big range of camping pads from lightweight for backpacking all the way up to these 4” thick options that usually roll up but are meant for car camping. As someone who does all of the above, inclusive of hot tenting for weeks in the middle of sub zero Minnesota winters, I’ll say that you shouldn’t assert your feelings about air mattresses on camping pads. They’re not the same. I trust them in places where I could freeze to death

also, for solo road trips or dispersed camping, or overnight hunts, sleeping in the bed diagonally works quite well. Gear can be stored on roof racks, in the cab, in Pelican / Roam boxes under the truck, etc. It’s pretty easy. The bed is about 6’5” corner to corner. I’m 6’3” and can sleep quite comfortably. And sometimes one of my kiddos (or dog when hunting) joins me and fit well beside me.

 

[bigb]

I've had an Alps Mountaineering self inflating mattress for about 12 years now and it's been great, more comfortable than our mattress at home. It's only about 2" thick. If it's been rolled up for a long time you need to assist it a bit to air up but not much, pump not needed.

BTW in my Superduty, where I have spent dozens of nights on that mattress, I first laid down 2 layers of plush carpeting.

How are you stretching out in a 5 foot bed, or are you leaving the tailgate open? I'm 6'3" and planning on trying something like this when I get my topper:

 

[bigb]

Certainly not as compact as a camping pad but it does roll up, especially if you use the pump to deflate.



Yea where to put your other gear is obviously a question but not unique to this mattress. I think it’s just a question of priorities. I’d rather leave some stuff in the cab / ground and have a comfortable sleep setup.

I agree if the thing pops a leak it would suck (also it has 1y warranty), but it feels much more robust than a typical camping air pad and note that this one also has a couple layers of foam in it. Best of both worlds imho.

John, in my Superduty I built a steel shelf along one side for my ice chest and food tote and I built another shelf across the back supported on the bed rails that held 3 more totes. Planning on a similar setup for the Ranger. This leaves the floor space pretty open. I kept the side shelf when I sold that truck and will shorten it for the 5 foot bed in the Ranger. It has 2 legs and the back rail bolts to the edge of the bed rail. All built from angle iron and expanded metal and everything can be strapped down.

I have pics somewhere if interested.

 

[mooner3]

Yea tailgate down. The mattress I linked to above won’t fit with the tailgate up (and neither would I )

 

[GA Ranger Lover]

Thanks!

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